It is one thing to write about civility when the waters are calm. It is another thing entirely to practice it when you find yourself caught completely off guard, under the bright lights of a public stage, facing unexpected and prolonged criticism from a colleague.
At a recent public meeting, I experienced exactly that. A peer used their platform to launch a sharp, detailed critique of my work and motives. My initial, purely human reaction was an immediate spike of adrenaline. Everything inside me wanted to reload, push back and fire a counter-missile to defend my reputation.
Saying these principles is easy; living them when challenged is where the work begins. True civility is not about extinguishing your fire; it’s about making sure it warms the room instead of burning down the house. It demands passionate self-mastery when you are under fire…